Wolves Announce 2015-16 Leadership Group
September 24, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Sudbury Wolves News Release
The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce their leadership group for the 2015-16 season. North Bay Native, DANNY DESROCHERS has been named this season's captain. DESROCHERS will be entering his fourth full season with the Wolves, and will be tasked with leading this young Wolves team. To assist Danny this season, are alternate captains KYLE CAPOBIANCO, MATT SCHMALZ, and fifth year player JACOB HARRIS. All of these players have impressed the coaching staff over their years with the Wolves organization and will be leaned on heavily this season, both on and off the ice.
DESROCHERS began playing for the Wolves in the 2011-2012 season, where as a 16-year-old, played eight games for the team. The overage player is now entering his fourth full season with the Wolves. His best offensive season came last year, when Desrochers scored 13 goals and added 9 assists, for 22 points. Desrochers is thrilled to be the new captain of the Sudbury Wolves, "It's truly an honour being named captain of this team" said Danny. "Being captain is a huge leadership role to embrace that I don't take lightly, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I want to be a leader and I want to be someone that the younger guys look up to in the dressing room."
The decision to name Desrochers captain was an easy one for Head Coach David Matsos. "Leading comes easy to Danny, he doesn't have to work very hard at it. He makes good decisions both on and off the ice and will be able to mentor the young group of forwards we have this season. The players, management, and coaching staff were all on the same page with Danny wearing the 'C', making the decision even easier."
CAPOBIANCO will be the leader of the blueline for the Wolves this season. The 2015 3rd round draft pick of the Arizona Coyotes, wore the 'A' for the Wolves last season, and will continue to be in a leadership position in 2015-16. Kyle not only has NHL experience, but he has also represented Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
HARRIS, an over-aged center, is also returning as assistant captain for the Wolves this season. He has been very consistent throughout his time in Sudbury and is approaching 100 points for his junior career. Jacob is the longest serving player on the team.
Lastly, a newcomer to the Wolves leadership group this year is 6'6" forward, MATT SCHMALZ. The Dunnville, Ontario native recently returned from Los Angeles Kings training camp and will be looking to build on his breakout season from a year ago, while using his NHL experiences to help the guide the team.
Again, similar to naming his captain, Matsos did not have any difficulty selecting his alternate captains. "Bringing back Capobianco and Harris were no brainers since they were assistants a year ago, and Schmalz has just returned from NHL camp and I have liked what I've seen from him in terms of leadership."
"All of these players are great leaders, and believe in what I'm teaching," notes Matsos, in speaking of his leadership group as a whole. "When the leaders of your team buy into the system, it forces the younger players to take notice and follow suit. Having these guys as our front-runners will help keep the rest of the room in check. I have absolute certainty that these four players will help develop our young guys this season and make our team better."
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